The 4 ESF+ beneficiary associations in France; Fédération Française des Banques Alimentaires, Croix-Rouge Française, Restaurant du Coeur and Secours Populaire Français co-signed a letter to the European Commission, more specifically to Mr Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights. The aim of the letter was to alert the European Commission on the impact of the cost-of-living crisis or inflation on food aid structures and beneficiaries, as well as to the new costs faced by the food aid associations. The 4 associations called for a major European initiative, as it was the case during the Covid- 19 crisis, to meet the increased needs.
The associations met on the morning of 24. April 2023 with the cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit. The European Commission has been attentive to the difficulties encountered by food aid associations in this period of inflation. However, in France, the Commission focused on the remaining funds already open (REACT in particular). The dialogue should continue in the coming weeks.
